They'd love to sign him, and they'll say so

Published 10:00 pm, Wednesday, November 7, 2007

The Angels had a meet-and-greet with A-Rod's agent, Scott Boras, at the general managers meetings. The New York Mets also spoke with Boras but won't say whether they're in or out of the competition.

Tony Reagins, who just took over as the Angels GM, had glowing words for A-Rod.

"We had an initial conversation with Scott, and it was introductory," he said Wednesday. "He probably makes any team that he's a part of better."

Reagins said if talks progressed, the Angels would welcome a chance to speak with Rodriguez. Reagins acknowledged marketing, as well as baseball skills, would play a role in a decision to sign A-Rod.

"In this day and age, I think that is a part of it," he said.

While the Mets have the cash to sign Rodriguez, they haven't committed to making an offer. Likely to win his third AL MVP award, Rodriguez is expected to sign a deal topping the record $252 million, 10-year contract the Texas Rangers gave him before the 2001 season. Before A-Rod opted out of that agreement, Boras told the New York Yankees they had to offer $350 million just to get a meeting.

The final day of the annual meetings, GMs were to discuss whether first- and third-base coaches should wear helmets. Mike Coolbaugh, a first-base coach for the Colorado Rockies' minor league team in Tulsa, Okla., was killed in July when he was struck on the head by a line drive during a game.

On Tuesday, each general manager stood up during their meeting and stated what their offseason goals were. Many mentioned specific players they were making available. The idea was suggested by Boston's Theo Epstein and Florida's Larry Beinfest, co-chairs of this year's meeting.

"Usually it takes a while to be able to reach all 29 other teams and hear what they're trying to do. This increased our efficiency tremendously. It saves us all a lot of time," Epstein said. "Some teams were specific. Some were more guarded."

Cabrera is the first big name being dangled. He'll make more than $10 million next season, too expensive for the Marlins. Having lost A-Rod, the Yankees need a third baseman but team executive Hank Steinbrenner was clear on what New York won't do.

"It's pretty obvious which players we're not going to trade," he said, before rattling off the team's most-prized young pitchers. "Chamberlain, Hughes and even Kennedy. Not for a position player."

Atlanta said it would like to bring back Tom Glavine after a five-year absence. New general manager Frank Wren spoke with the two-time Cy Young Award winner and his agent, Gregg Clifton, and Wren intends to call again next week, after teams can start making offers to free agents.

Glavine, a left-hander who turns 42 in March, spent his first 16 seasons with Atlanta, then pitched for the Mets for five years. He lives in suburban Atlanta and was hoping to get an offer from the Braves after the 2006 season. Atlanta never made an offer, and he agreed Dec. 1 to re-sign with the Mets.

Rogers, a left-hander who turns 43 Saturday, wants to return to Detroit for a third season.

Clemens, 45, is ready to join the Houston Astros -- as a consultant. In a sign Clemens' pitching career could be over, his agent sent an e-mail to Drayton McLane informing the owner Clemens is set to start his personal-services contract with the team on Jan. 1.

EXTRA BASES: Juan Uribe and the White Sox agreed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract that keeps the slick-fielding shortstop in Chicago. ... The sentencing of a former Mets clubhouse attendant and admitted steroids peddler was delayed until Dec. 14 so he can continue to assist federal prosecutors and baseball officials with their investigations of performance-enhancing drugs.